Apparatus for running equipment into and out of offshore well completions



March 8, 1966 c. J. COBERLY 3,239,004

APPARATUS FOR RUNNING EQUIPMENT INTO AND OUT OF OFFSHORE WELLGOMPLETIONS Filed June 10, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet l 1N VENTOR.

CLARENCE J (0552M 5y ///5 ATTOEA/EYS HARE/s, Mac/, Fuses/.1. &A52A/March 8, 1966 c, J, COBERLY 3,239,004

APPARATUS FOR RUNNING EQUIPMENT INTO AND OUT OF OFFSHORE WELLGOMPLETIONS F'iled June 10, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l2 20 INVENTOR.CLARENCE J COBEELY 5} HIS ATTORNEYS HARE/5; A IEChQ RussEu & KEEN March8, 1966 c. J. COBERLY 3,239,004

APPARATUS FOR RUNNING EQUIPMENT INTO AND OUT OF OFFSHORE WELLCOMPLETIONS 5 Sheets-Sheefi 5 Filed June 10, 1963 46 is 4*- 50 5a /44INVENTOR CLARENCE J. COBEELY BY H/S ATTORNEYS HAEe/S, fflEcfi, FussEu.5: KEEN United States Patent 3,239,004 APPARATUS FOR RUNNING EQUIPMENTINTO AND OUT OF OFFSHORE WELL COMPLETIONS Clarence J. Coberly, SanMarino, Calif., assignor to Kobe, inc, Huntington Park, Calif, acorporation of Caliornla Filed June 10, 1963, Ser. No. 286,537 9 Claims.(Cl. 166-.5)

The present invention relates in general to apparatus for runningequipment of various types into and out of oil wells, and particularlycompleted oil wells, in locations which are either entirely inaccessibleto personnel, or which do not provide normal accessibility.

For example, the invention finds particular utility in connection withsubmerged, offshore locations in ocean depths which do not permit theuse of divers, e.g., one thousand feet or more, although the inventionmay, of course, be practiced in shallower water. For convenience indisclosing the invention, it will be considered herein primarily inconnection with an offshore well location controlled from an onshorestation. However, it will be understood that an offshore controlstation, e.g., a platform, island, barge, or the like, is a possiblealternative that might be used in some instances, such an alternativebeing considered briefly herein also.

A general object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for runningproduction equipment, servicing equipment, and the like, into and out ofa submerged, offshore well from a control station spaced horizontallyfrom the well.

Although various equipment may be run into and out of a submerged,offshore well from such control station in accordance with theinvention, this disclosure will be restricted to running a free, fluidoperated pump into and out of the well from a remote pumping stationhydraulically as a matter of convenience.

It is contemplated that the submerged, offshore well will have installedtherein a tubing system and bottom hole assembly suitable for use with afree, fluid operated pump. The well may be completed with the tubingsystem and the bottom hole assembly contained in a casing in the usualmanner, or it may be a casingless completion having the tubing systemand the bottom hole assembly cemented in place, as disclosed in myPatent No. 2,939,533, granted June 7, 1960. The tubing system may eitherbe an open system, wherein the production fluid discharged by the pumpand the spent operating fluid discharged thereby are conveyed to thewell head through a common, production tubing, or it may be a closedsystem wherein the production fluid and the spent operating fluid areconveyed to the well head separately. In any event, one of the tubingsof the tubing system in the well is a pump tubing of a size to slidablyreceive the free, fluid operated pump, the latter being hydraulicallymovable between the well head and an operating position in the bottomhole assembly in a manner which is well known in the art.

The invention further contemplates an apparatus wherein the free, fluidoperated pump is circulated between the pumping station and thesubmerged, offshore well head through a conductor tubing lying on, orsubstantially on, the bottom of the ocean, or other body of water,between the pumping station and the well location. It will be understoodthat such conductor tubing for the pump will normally be at leastapproximately horizontal, whereas the pump tubing in the well willnormally be approximately vertical.

A primary object of the invention is to transfer the pump, or otherequipment, between the conductor tubing and the pump tubing, or otherequipment tubing, by means of a tubular switch which is of a size toslidably receive the pump therein and which is movable, and preferably"ice pivotable, between a position wherein it is aligned with theconductor tubing and a position wherein it is aligned with the pumptubing.

A related object is to provide means, preferably fluid operated, forpivoting the switch between the two positions mentioned, such meansbeing controllable from a remote point, preferably the pumping station.

More particularly, an important object of the invention is to provide anapparatus wherein the pump is slidable between the pumping station andthe switch through the conductor tubing and is slidable from theconductor tubing into the switch, and vice versa, when the switch is inalignment with the conductor tubing, and wherein the pump is slidablebetween the switch and an operating position in the well through thepump tubing and is slidable from the pump tubing into the switch, andvice versa, when the switch is in alignment with the pump tubing.

With the foregoing construction, the pump may be transferred from theconductor tubing to the pump tubing by sliding the pump into the switchwhen the switch is in alignment with the conductor tubing, pivoting theswitch into alignment with the pump tubing, and then sliding the pumpfrom the switch into the pump tubing. The transfer from the pump tubingto the conductor tubing may be achieved by reversing the foregoing.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for sliding the pumpthrough the conductor and pump tubings and into and out of the switch asrequired to achieve the desired transfer.

More particularly, an object of the invention is to provide an apparatuswhich includes: means for introducing fluid into the conductor tubingbehind the pump to circulate it through the conductor tubing into theswitch when the switch is in alignment with the conductor tubing; meansfor introducing fluid into the pump tubing behind the pump to circulateit through the pump tubing into the switch when the switch is inalignment with the pump tubing; and means for introducing fluid into theswitch behind the pump to circulate it out of the switch and through theconductor tubing to the pumping station when the switch is in alignmentwith the conductor tubing, and to circulate it out of the switch andthrough the pump tubing into the operating position in the well when theswitch is in alignment with the pump tubing.

A further object is to provide a fluid-operated, rack and pinion meansfor pivoting the switch between its two operating positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tubular switch whichincludes selector valve means for properly directing the fluid used tocirculate the pump irrespective of the operating position in which theswitch is disposed.

The foregoing objects, advantages, features and results of the presentinvention, together with various other objects, advantages, features andresults thereof which will be evident to those skilled in the art towhich the invention relates in the light of this disclosure, may beachieved with the exemplary embodiments of the invention described indetail hereinafter and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a semidiagrammatic view fragmentarily illustrating an offshoreoil well completion which embodies the invention in conjunction with anonshore pumping station;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through a well head and tubularswitch combination of the invention with the tubular switch in one ofits operating positions;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary sectional views respectively taken alongthe arrowed lines 3-3 and 4-4 of HG. 2, FIG. 4 being on an enlargedscale;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the tubular switch ofthe invention in the other of its operating positions;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the arrowed line 66of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view taken along the arrowed line 77of FIG. 5 and FIG. 8 is a fragmentary semidiagrammatic view illustratingan alternative, oflshore pumping station location.

General description Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, thenumeral 10 designates an oil well completion associated with a bore 12drilled into the ocean bottom 14 at a location seaward of the shore 16.The well or well completion 10 is intended to be produced, in theexemplary embodiment illustrated, from an onshore station, e.g., apumping station 18.

Considering the well completion 10 more specifically now, it includes asurface casing set in the upper end of the well bore 12 and havingtherein an inner casing 22. Production fluid may enter the inner casingin various ways. For example, the productive zone may be left uncased,where it is sufficiently consolidated to permit this, in which event theproduction fluid enters the inner casing 22 through its lower end.Alternatively, production fluid may enter the inner casing throughperforations therein, through a perforated liner, not shown, connectedto the inner casing, or the like.

As best shown in FIG. 2, connected to the upper end of the surfacecasing 20 is a suitable well head 24, the inner casing 22 beingsuspended from and sealed relative to the well head by a slip andsealing arrangement 26. Disposed in the inner casing 22 is a tubingsystem carried by a tubing head 32 suitably supported by the well head24, as by being seated thereon.

In the particular construction illustrated, the tubing system 30 is aclosed system composed of three tubings 40, 42 and 44. The tubing is ofa size to slidably receive a conventional fluid operated pump 46, FIG.2, for movement therethrough between the well head 24 and an operatingposition in a bottom hole assembly, not shown, at the lower end of thetubing system 30. In view of this function of the tubing 40, it will bereferred to as a pump tubing hereinafter. Preferably, but notnecessarily, the pump tubing 40 also serves as a production tubing forconveying production fluid discharged by the pump 46, when in itsoperating position in the well 10, upwardly to the well head 24.

The parallel tubing 42 is a supply tubing for conveying operating fluidunder pressure downwardly in the well 10 to operate the pump 46, thespent operating fluid being returned to the well head 24 through theparallel tubing 44. It will be understood that the fluid operated pump46 is intended to be circulated hydraulically between its operatingposition in the well and the well head 24. A generally suitable fluidoperated pump, and a bottom hole assembly suitable for use with thetubing system 30 to achieve the desired mode of operation, may be foundin my Patent No. 2,589,671, granted March 18, 1952. Consequently, thereis no need to specifically disclose same herein.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the pump tubing 40, whichis the largest of the three tubings 40, 42 and 44, is shown asthreadedly connected to the tubing head 32. The supply and returntubings 42 and 44 communicate at their upper ends with supply and return passages in the tubing head 32. The return passage is concealed inFIG. 2 by the supply passage, the latter being identified by the numeral50. Connected to the tubing head 32 in communication with the supply andreturn passages are supply and return lines 56 and 58, respectively. Thesupply and return lines 56 and 58 extend along the ocean floor 14 to theonshore pumping station 18 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. At theonshore pumping station 18, the supply line 56 is connected to asuitable source of operating fluid under pressure, such as a triplexpump, not shown. The return line 58 may discharge into an operatingfluid reservoir, not shown, which supplies the triplex pump. Theoperating fluid, as is con ventional, may be clean crude oil, althoughother fluids may be used.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, a conductor tubing 60 of a size to permitsliding passage of the fluid operated pump 46 therethrough extends fromthe pumping station 18 to the well 10. The conductor tubing 61 which maybe a steel pipe laid on the ocean floor 14, is so designed that anybends therein have radii of curvature sufliciently large to permit freepassage of the fluid operated pump 46 therethrough under the influenceof hydraulic pressure. The conductor tubing 60 terminates at the onshorepumping station 18 in a pump head 62 which is adapted to receive thefluid operated pump 46 in a generally horizontal position when the pumpis circulated out of the well 10 and to the pump head in a manner to bedescribed hereinafter. The pump head 62 may include a suitable pumpcatcher 64 designed to receive and latch onto the fluid operated pump 46when it arrives at the pumping station 18.

It will be noted that, in moving between the conductor tubing 60 and thepump tubing 40 in either direction, the fluid operated pump 46, or otherequipment being circulated in or out, must turn a corner of the order of90. To accomplish this, a tubular switch is located at the junction ofthe conductor tubing 60 and the pump tubing 40, this switch beingcapable of transferring the pump 46 from the conductor tubing to thepump tubing, and vice versa, in a manner which will now be considered.

Tubular switch 70 The tubular switch 70 includes an inner tube 72 of alength and diameter to slidably receive the entire pump 46 therein, asshown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The switch tube 72 is connected at itsinner end to a rotor 74, shown as having the form of a tapered valveplug, which is rotatable relative to the tubing head 32 about an axisperpendicular to the axes of the pump and conductor tubings 40 and 60and intersecting the axes of these tubings at their point ofintersection. The axes of the pump and conductor tubings 40 and 60preferably intersect at an angle of substantially 90 so that, bypivoting the tubular switch 70 through this angle, the switch tube 72may be aligned with either the pump tubing 40 or the conductor tubing60. The switch tube 72 is shown aligned with the conductor tubing 61 inFIG. 2 and with the pump tubing 40 in FIG. 5. Thus, when the tubularswitch 70 is in the position of FIG. 2, the pump 46 may slide from theconductor tubing 60 into the switch tube 72, or vice versa. Conversely,when the tubular switch 70 is in the position of FIG. 5, the pump 46 mayslide from the switch tube 72 into the pump tubing 40, or vice versa.When the tubular switch 70 is in the position of FIG. 2, it rests on ahorizontal support 76 extending from the tubing head 32, and when it isin the FIG. 5 position, it is partially housed by a vertical guard 78.The manner in which'the tubular switch 70 is pivoted between its twooperating positions will be discussed hereinafter.

When the pump 46 is displaced into the switch tube 72 from either thepump tubing 40 or the conductor tubing 60, it engages a latch 80 at theouter end of the switch tube. The latch 80 is designed to releaseautomatically upon application of suflicient fluid pressure to the outerend of the pump 46 when it is in the switch tube. After the pump 46 hasbeen disengaged from the latch 80 in this manner, the pump may becirculated out of the switch tube 72 into either the pump tubing 40 orthe conductor tubing 60 by fluid introduced into the outer end of theswitch tube.

Considering the manner in which fluid may be introduced into the outerend of the switch tube 72 to unlatch the pump 46 and to circulate it outof the switch tube, the tubular switch includes an outer tube 82 whichis spaced radially outwardly from the switch tube to provide an annularfluid passage 84 therebetween, the latter communicating with the outerend of the switch tube. The outer tube 82 of the tubular switch 70 isconnected at its inner end to the rotor 74. The inner end of the annularfluid passage 84 between the switch tube 72 and the outer tube 82communicates at its inner end with a T- shaped passage 86 in the rotor74. Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, when the tubular switch 70 isin the FIG. 2 position, wherein the switch tube 72 is aligned with theconductor tubing 60, the T-shaped passage 86 also communicates with apassage 38 in the tubing head 32 leading to a vertical passage 90 of thesame size as and aligned with the pump tubing 40. On the other hand,referring to FIG. 6 of the drawings, when the tubular switch 70 is inthe FIG. 5 position, wherein the switch tube 72 is aligned with the pumptubing 4%, the T-shaped passage 86 communicates with a passage 92 in thetubing head 32 leading to a passage 94 of the same size as and alignedwith the conductor tubing 60. The T-shaped passage 86 directs the fluidused to run the pump 46 in or out as required to achieve the desiredresult. This will now be discussed in detail.

Description of manner in which pump 46 is run in and run out Consideringfirst the manner in which the pump 46 is run into the well 10 from theonshore pumping station 18, it will be assumed that the pump has beeninserted into the conductor tubing 60, upper end first, and that thepump catcher 64 has been reinstalled. The pump 46 is then circulatedthrough the conductor tubing 60 by introducing fluid under pressurebehind the pump. When this is done, of course, the tubular switch 70 isin the FIG. 2 position, wherein the switch tube 72 is aligned with theconductor tubing 60 so as to permit insertion of the pump into theswitch tube for engagement with the latch 80.

Any fluid in the conductor tubing 60 ahead of the pump 46 as the pump isrun in through the conductor tubing in the foregoing manner flows intothe pump tubing 40 by way of the switch tube 72, the annular passage 84,the T-shaped passage 86 and the passages 88 and 90. Such fluid flowsdownwardly through the pump tubing 40 to the bottom hole assembly, notshown, interconnecting the pump, supply and return tubings 40, 42 and44. This fluid is then returned to the well head 24 through one or bothof the supply and return tubings 42 and 44, and is returned to theonshore pumping station 18 through one or both of the supply and returnlines 56 and 58.

Once the pump 46 has entered the switch tube 72 from the conductortubing 60 and has been latched in place in the switch tube, the tubularswitch 70 is pivoted from the position shown in FIG. 2 of the drawingsto the position shown in FIG. 5 thereof, the manner in which this isdone being explained hereinafter. With the tubular switch 7 in the FIG.position, additional fluid is introduced into the conductor tubing 60 atthe onshore pumping station 18. Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawings,such fluid flows through the passages 94 and 92 in the tubing head 32and the T-shaped passage 86 in the rotor 74 into the inner end of theannular fluid passage 84 in the tubular switch. From the annular passage84, the fluid introduced into the conductor tubing 60 enters the outerend of the switch tube 70 to disengage the pump 46 from the latch 80 andto circulate the pump out of the switch tube into the pump tubing 40.Ultimately, the pump 46 reaches its operating position in the bottomhole assembly, not shown, at the lower end of the tubing system 30.

When the fluid operated pump 46 reaches its operating position in thewell 10, it is operated therein in the usual manner by operating fluidunder high pressure supplied thereto from the onshore pumping station 18through the supply line 56 and the supply tubing 42. The spent operatingfluid is returned to the onshore pumping station 18, with the particularclosed system disclosed, through the return tubing 44 and the returnline 56. The well fluid discharged by the fluid operated pump 46 flowsupwardly to the well head 24 through the pump tubing 40 in theparticular construction illustrated. From the pump tubing 40, theproduction fluid flows upwardly through the vertical passage 90 into theswitch tube 72 and then downwardly through the annular passage 84 aroundthe switch tube to enter the conductor tubing 60' by way of the T-shapedpassage 86 and the passages 92 and 94. The production fluid then flowsto the onshore pumping station 18 through the conductor tubing 60.

If it is desired to remove the fluid operated pump 46 for any reason,fluid under relatively low pressure is introduced into the return line58 at the onshore pumping station 18, the supply line 56 being closedand the conductor tubing 60 being opened at the pump head 62. The fluidthus introduced through the return line 58 flows downwardly through thereturn tubing 44 and acts on the lower end of the pump 46 to circulateit upwardly through the pump tubing 40, and then through the passage 90into the switch tube 72, being releasably secured in the switch tube bythe latch 80. While the pump 46 is being circulated upwardly into theswitch tube 72 in the foregoing manner, any fluid ahead of the pump isconveyed to the onshore pumping station 18 by way of the passage 90, theswitch tube 72, the annular passage 84, the T-shaped passage 86, thepassages 92 and 94, and the conductor tubing 60.

After the pump 46 has been latched in the switch tube 72 in theforegoing manner, the tubular switch 70 is returned to its FIG. 2position, wherein the switch tube 72 is aligned with the conductortubing 60. The introduction of circulating fluid into the return line 58at the pumping station 18 is continued, such circulating fluid flowingdownwardly through the return tubing 44 and upwardly through the pumptubing 40 into the passages 90 and 88 in the tubing head 32. The rotor74 is now in a position to cause the T-shaped passage 86 to connect thepassage 88 to the inner end of the annular passage 84. Consequently, thecirculating fluid flows through the annular passage 84 into the outerend of the switch tube 72, disengaging the pump 46 from the latch andcirculating the pump out of the switch tube and into the conductortubing 60. Ultimately, the pump 46 reaches the onshore pumping station18, to be engaged by the pump catcher 64.

Thus, the tubular switch 70 provides a simple and effective way ofrunning the pump 46, or other equipment, into and out of the well 10despite its remote location from the onshore pumping station 18. Moreparticularly, the tubular switch 70 provides a simple and effective wayof enabling the pump 46 to make the approximately 90 turn required atthe well head 24.

Pivoting means for tubular switch 70 The invention provides means 100controllable from a remote point, preferably the onshore pumping station18, for pivoting the tubular switch 70 from either of its operatingpositions to the other as required in running the fluid operated pump 46in and out. The pivoting means 100 comprises a fluid-operatedrack-and-pinion means which includes a pinion, or pinion segment, 102suitably connected to the rotor 74, as shown in FIG. 3, and meshed witha rack 104 connected to a piston 106 reciprocable in a cylinder 108carried by the tubing head 32 in alignment with the rack 104. It will beapparent that if the piston 106 is displaced to the right, as viewed inFIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawings, the rack 104 and the pinion segment 102cooperate to pivot the tubular switch 70 from its FIG. 5 position to itsFIG. 2 position. Conversely, displacement of the piston 106 to the leftresults in pivoting of the tubular switch 70 from its FIG. 2

position to its FIG. position. This fluid-operated rackand-pinionarrangement provides a very simple means for pivoting the tubular switch70 from either of its operating positions to the other.

The piston 106 and the cylinder 108 constitute a hydraulic motor 110which is controlled by a piston type, differential area, four-wayselector valve 112. This selector valve may be controlled from theonshore pumping station 18 in a manner which will now be described.

In the construction illustrated, the selector valve 112 is mounted onone side of the cylinder 108 and includes a housing 114 containing avalve spool 116 having a piston 118 at one end, all as shown in FIG. 4of the drawings. The valve spool 116 is normally biased into theposition shown in FIG. 4 by a compression spring 120 located in a springchamber 122 in the housing 114, the spring 120 being seated against thehousing at one end and against the piston 118 at its other end. Thespring chamber 122 is placed in constant communication with a source ofrelatively low fluid pressure by means of a line 124. This line may, forexample, be connected to the conductor tubing 60, as shown in FIGS. 2and 5 of the drawings, the fluid pressure in the conductor tubing beingat all times at a relatively low value. This relatively low pressure, ofcourse, acts on one side of the selector-valve piston 118.

A control line 126 is adapted to apply to the other side of the piston118 a fluid pressure sufliciently high to overcome the force of thespring 120 and the fluid pressure in the spring chamber 122, whereby toshift the valve spool 116, downwardly as viewed in FIG. 4, to a secondoperating position thereof. The control line 126 may, for example, leadto the onshore pumping station 18.

When the valve spool 116 is in the operating position shown in FIG. 4,it connects a high pressure fluid line 128, which may originate at theonshore pumping station 18, to a passage 130 leading to the left end ofthe cylinder 108, as viewed in the drawings. At the same time, the valvespool 116 connects the low pressure line 124 to a passage 132 leading tothe right end of the cylinder 108. Under these conditions, the piston106 is displaced to ward the right, as viewed in the drawings, to pivotthe tubular switch 70 into its FIG. 2 position, wherein the switch tube72 is aligned with the conductor tubing 60.

When the valve spool 116 is shifted to its other operating position byfluid pressure supplied through the control line 126, it connects thehigh pressure line 128 to the passage 132 leading to the right end ofthe cylinder 108, and connects the low pressure line 124 to the passage130 leading to the left end of the cylinder, this latter connectionbeing by way of a passage 134. The result is to displace the piston 106to the left, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawings, from the FIG. 2position to the FIG. 5 position, thereby pivoting the tubular switch 70from the FIG. 2 position to the FIG. 5 position.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, the tubular switch 70 may bepivoted from one of its operating positions to the other simply byapplying fluid pressure through the control line 126, or by terminatingthe application of such fluid pressure, as the case may be.

Access to pump tubing 40 Occasionally it maybe necessary to have accessto the interior of the pump tubing 40, as for the purpose of removingand replacing the usual standing valve, not shown, carried by the bottomhole assembly, not shown, at the lower end of the tubing system 30, itbeing understood that the fluid operated pump 46 is seated on suchstanding valve when it is in its operating position.

For the foregoing purpose, the tubular switch 70 is provided at itsouter end with a gate valve which, as will be explained, may be openedwith the tubular switch 70 is in its FIG. 5 or vertical position. Whenthe gate valve 140 is opened under these conditions, the latch 80 can beremoved from a boat or barge on the surface above the well location 10,as by means of a wire line, not shown. This accomplished, astandingvalve retrieving tool, not shown, on a wire line, not shown, maybe run in through the gate valve 140, the switch tube 72, the passage 90and the pump tubing 40 to retrieve the standing valve from the bottomhole assembly at the lower end of the tubing system 30. Various otherremedial operations may be carried out in a similar manner.

It will be understood that, in addition to the gate valve 140, thetubular switch 70 may carry at its outer end other equipment, shownfragmentarily and designated by the numeral 142, for guiding intoposition and securing and scaling in place the lower end of a conductortube, not shown, suspended from a boat or barge floating on the surface.With such a procedure, contamination of the ocean waters by oil in thetubing system 30 may be prevented.

Considering the manner in which the gate valve 140 may be actuated, acontrol line 144 extends from the onshore pumping station 18 to thetubing head 32 and communicates with a passage 146, FIG. 6, in thetubing head. When the tubular switch 70 is in its upright or FIG. 5position, the passage 146 communicates with a passage 148 in the rotor74. (As shown in FIG. 3, when the tubular switch 70 is in its horizontalor FIG. 2 position, the passage 148 in the rotor 74 is out ofcommunication with the passage 146 from the control line 144).

When it is desired to open the gate valve 140 with the tubular switch 70in its upright position, pressure is applied to the control line 144from the onshore pumping station 18, such pressure being applied to thegate valve through a line 150 communicating with the passage 148. Thegate valve 140 is preferably spring biased toward its closed position ina manner not specifically shown. Application of pressure to the gatevalve 140 through the control line 144 in the manner described resultsin opening of this valve, the valve re-closing upon relaxation of theapplied pressure.

Ofishore control station Instead of controlling the well 10 from theonshore station 18 in the manner hereinbefore described, it may becontrolled from an olfshore station 160. The offshore control station isshown in FIG. 8 as including a platform 162 suitably erected on theocean bottom 14. In this case, the platform 162 is provided with a pumphead 164 which is oriented vertically, so as to permit reception andinsertion of the fluid operated pump 46 in a generally verticalposition. To enable the pump 46 to turn the corner between the generallyhorizontal conductor tubing 60 and a generally vertical conductor tubing166 leading to the pump head 164, a tubular switch 170 similar to thetubular switch 70 is used. The tubular V switch 170 transfers the pump46 between the conductor tubings 60 and 166 in much the same manner asthe tubular switch 70 transfers the pump between the conductor tubing 60and the pump tubing 40. It will be noted that both the horizontal andvertical orientations of the tubular switch 170 must be reversedrelative to the tubular switch 70. It will also be noted that, inrunning the pump 46 in which this arrangement, the pump must be insertedinto the pump head 164 lower end first. Conversely, as hereinbeforepointed out, with the horizontally oriented pump head 64, the pump 46must be inserted upper end first.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosedherein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that variouschanges, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in suchembodimcnts without departing from the spirit of the invention asdefined by the following claims:

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for running equipment into and out of a well from astation spaced horizontally from the well, the combination of:

(a) an equipment tubing set in said well;

(b) a conductor tubing extending between said well and said station;

(c) supporting structure at said well and connected to said equipmentand conductor tubings;

(d) a tubular switch mounted on said supporting structure and movablebetween a position wherein it is coaxially aligned with said conductortubing and a position wherein it is coaxially aligned with saidequipment tubing;

(e) said equipment being slidable between said station and said switchthrough said conductor tubing and being slidable between said switch andan operating position in said well through said equipment tubing;

(f) said equipment being slidable from said conductor tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid conductor tubing; and

g) said equipment being slidable from said equipment tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid equipment tubing.

2. In an apparatus for running equipment into and out of a well from astation spaced horizontally from the well, the combination of:

(a) an equipment tubing set in said well;

(b) a conductor tubing extending between said well and said station;

(c) supporting structure at said well and connected to said equipmentand conductor tubings;

(d) a tubular switch mounted on said supporting structure and pivotablebetween a position wherein it is coaxially aligned with said conductortubing and a position wherein it is coaxially aligned with saidequipment tubing;

(e) said equipment being slidable between said station and said switchthrough said conductor tubing and being slidable between said switch andan operating position in said well through said equipment tubing;

(f) said equipment being slidable from said conductor tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid conductor tubing; and

(g) said equipment being slidable from said equipment tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid equipment tubing.

3. In an apparatus for running equipment into and out of a well from astation spaced horizontally from the well, the combination of:

(a) an equipment tubing set in said well;

(b) a conductor tubing extending between said well and said station;

() supporting structure at said well and connected to said equipment andconductor tubings;

(d) a tubular switch mounted on said supporting structure and pivotablebetween a position wherein it is coaxially aligned with said conductortubing and a position wherein it is coaxially aligned with saidequipment tubing;

(e) means for pivoting said switch between said positions;

(f) said equipment being slidable between said station and said switchthrough said conductor tubing and being slidable between said switch andan operating position in said well through said equipment tubing;

(g) said equipment being slidable from said conductor tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid conductor tubing; and

(h) said equipment being slidable from said equipment tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said 10 switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid equipment tubing. 7 4. In an apparatus for running equipment intoand out of a well from a station spaced horizontally from the well,

the combination of:

(a) an equipment tubing set in said well;

(b) a conductor tubing extending between said Well and said station;

(c) supporting structure at said well and connected to said equipmentand conductor tubings;

(d) a tubular switch mounted on said supporting structure and pivotablebetween a position wherein it is coaxially aligned with said conductortubing and a position wherein it is coaxially aligned with saidequipment tubing;

(e) means for pivoting said switch between said positions;

(f) said equipment being slidable between said station and said switchthrough said conductor tubing and being slidable between said switch andan operating position in said well through said equipment tubing;

(g) said equipment being slidable from said conductor tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid conductor tubing;

(h) said equipment being slidable from said equipment tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid equipment tubing; and

(i) means for sliding said equipment through said tubings and into andout of said switch.

5. In an apparatus for running equipment into and out of a well from astation spaced horizontally from the well, the combination of:

(a) an equipment tubing set in said well;

(b) a conductor tubing extending between said well and said station;

(c) supporting structure at said well and connected to said equipmentand conductor tubings;

(d) a tubular switch mounted on said supporting structure and povotablebetween a position wherein it is coaxially aligned with said conductortubing and a position wherein it is coaxially aligned with saidequipment tubing;

(e) means for pivoting said switch between said positions;

(f) said equipment being slidable between said station and said switchthrough said conductor tubing and being slidable between said switch andan operating position in said well through said equipment tubing;

(g) said equipment being slidable from said conductor tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid conductor tubing;

(h) said equipment being slidable from said equipment tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid equipment tubing;

(i) means for introducing fluid into said conductor tubing behind saidequipment to circulate it through said conductor tubing into said switchwhen said switch is in coaxial alignment with said conductor tubing;

(j) means for introducing fluid into said equipment tubing behind saidequipment to circulate it through said equipment tubing into said switchwhen said switch is in coaxial alignment with said equipment tubing; and

(k) means for introducing fluid into said switch behind said equipmentto circulate it out of said switch and through said conductor tubing tosaid station when said switch is in coaxial alignment with saidconductor tubing, and to circulate it out of said switch and throughsaid equipment tubing into said operating position in the well when saidswitch is in coaxial alignment with said equipment tubing.

6. In an apparatus for running equipment into and out of a well from astation spaced horizontally from the well, the combination of:

(a) an equipment tubing set in said Well;

(b) a conductor tubing extending between said well and said station;

() supporting structure at said well and connected to said equipment andconductor tubings; (d) a tubular switch mounted on said supportingstructure and pivotable between a position wherein it is coaxiallyaligned with said conductor tubing and a position wherein it iscoaxially aligned with said equipment tubing;

(e) fluid operated means for pivoting said switch between saidpositions;

(f) said equipment being slidable between said station and said switchthrough said conductor tubing and being slidable between said switch andan operating position in said well through said equipment tubing;

g) said equipment being slidable from said conductor tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid conductor tubing;

(h) said equipment being slidable from said equipment tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid equipment tubing; and

(i) fluid operated means for sliding said equipment through said tubingsand into and out of said switch.

7. In an apparatus for running equipment into and out of a well from astation spaced horizontally from the well, the combination of:

(a) an equipment tubing set in said well;

(b) a conductor tubing extending between said well and said station;

(c) supporting structure at said well and connected to said equipmentand conductor tubings;

(d) a tubular switch mounted on said supporting structure and pivotablebetween a position wherein it is coaxially aligned with said conductortubing and a position wherein it is coaxially aligned with saidequipment tubing;

(e) fluid operated, rack and pinion means for pivoting said switchbetween said positions;

(f) said equipment being slidable between said station and said switchthrough said conductor tubing and being slidable between said switch andan operating position in said Well through said equipment tubing; 3

(g) said equipment being slidable from said conductor tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid conductor tubing;

(h) said equipment being slidable from said equipment tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid equipment tubing; and

(i) fluid operated means for sliding said equipment through said tubingsand into and out of said switch.

8. In an apparatus for running a pump into and out of a well from acontrol station spaced horizontally from the well, the combination of:

(a) a pump tubing set in said well;

(b) a conductor tubing extending between said well and said controlstation;

(0) supporting structure at said well and connected to said pump andconductor tubings;

(d) a tubular switch mounted on said supporting structure and movablebetween coaxial alignment with said conductor tubing and coaxialalignment with said pump tubing;

(e) said pump being slidable between said control station and saidswitch through said conductor tubing and being slidable between saidswitch and an operating position in said well through said pump tubing;

(f) said pump being slidable from said conductor tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid conductor tubing; and

(g) said pump being slidable from said pump tubing into said switch, andvice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment with said pumptubing.

9. In an apparatus for running a pump into and out of a well from acontrol station spaced horizontally from the Well, the combination of:

(a) a pump tubing set in said well;

(b) a conductor tubing extending between said well and said controlstation;

(c) supporting structure at said well and connected to said pump andconductor tubings;

(d) a tubular switch mounted on said supporting structure and movablebetween coaxial alignment with said conductor tubing and coaxialalignment with said pump tubing;

(e) means for moving said switch between coaxial alignment with saidconductor tubing and coaxial alignment with said pump tubing;

(f) said pump being slidable between said control station and saidswitch through said conductor tubing and being slidable between saidswitch and an operating position in said Well through said pump tubing;

(g) said pump being slidable from said conductor tubing into saidswitch, and vice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment withsaid conductor tubing;

(h) said pump being slidable from said pump tubing into said switch, andvice versa, when said switch is in coaxial alignment with said pumptubing; and

(i) means for sliding said pump through said tubings and into and out ofsaid switch.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS CHARLES E.OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR RUNNING EQUIPMENT INTO AND OUT OF A WELL FROM ASTATION SPACED HORIZONTALLY FROM THE WELL, THE COMBINATION OF: (A) ANEQUIPMENT TUBING SET IN SAID WELL; (B) A CONDUCTOR TUBING EXTENDINGBETWEEN SAID WELL AND SAID STATION; (C) SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AT SAIDWELL AND CONNECTED TO SAID EQUIPMENT AND CONDUCTOR TUBINGS; (D) ATUBULAR SWITCH MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AND MOVABLE BETWEENA POSITION WHEREIN IT IS COAXIALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID CONDUCTOR TUBINGAND A POSITION WHEREIN IT IS COAXIALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID EQUIPMENTTUBING; (E) SAID EQUIPMENT BEING SLIDABLE BETWEEN SAID STATION AND SAIDSWITCH THROUGH SAID CONDUCTOR TUBING AND BEING SLIDABLE BETWEEN SAIDSWITCH AND AN OPERATING POSITION IN SAID WELL THROUGH SAID EQUIPMENTTUBING; (F) SAID EQUIPMENT BEING SLIDABLE FROM SAID CONDUCTOR TUBINGINTO SAID SWITCH, AND VICE VERSA, WHEN SAID SWITCH IS IN COAXIALALIGNMENT WITH SAID CONDUCTOR TUBING; AND (G) SAID EQUIPMENT BEINGSLIDABLE FROM SAID EQUIPMENT TUBING INTO SAID SWITCH, AND VICE VERSA,WHEN SAID SWITCH IS IN COAXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID EQUIPMENT TUBING.